Gold Paintings
Three outstanding artists of modern times, whose works let the noble metal shine in new colors.
Gold is the standard of respectability and luxury. This precious metal has also been used in contemporary paintings and art.
Gold often serves as a background in the paintings of artists — the image is painted on top of the gilded surface of the canvas. However, there are special gold-containing paints, composed of a binder and gold dust mixture. These paints are designed for painting on canvas.
We tell about three outstanding contemporary artists and their remarkable gold-painted paintings.
Shining canvases of Klimt
The public adores paintings of the famous Austrian graphic artist Gustav Klimt for the romanticism and sensuality of images.
His most famous works, like “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer”, “The Kiss” and “Water Serpents I” refer to the “golden period” of the artist's work.
Klimt has been familiar with gold since childhood — he was born in the family of the precious metal engraver and he mastered his father’s craft.
The artist admired medieval church paintings of Italy. He was inspired by richly decorated ancient Byzantine mosaics to create his “shining” paintings. Klimt transcended their luxury and brilliance into contemporary fine art. The artist played with color and relief in attempt to give the surface of his paintings a new look. Saturated shiny colors predominate in his paintings. Klimt painted with gold, using the finest gold leaf.
“Golden” paintings of Klimt are like a fairy-tale scenery. Once you see them, you will never forget them. Canvases of Gustav Klimt are magnificent works of art, masterpieces of the last century’s art.
In the picture: the painting “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer” (“The Lady in Gold”) by Gustav Klimt.
Sensual portraits from Lauren Brevner
Canadian self-taught artist Lauren Brevner paints spectacular female portraits using gold paint. Her paintings are full of color expression, while female images are full of mystery and charm.
Lauren experiments with different styles and techniques of painting, plays with layers and image textures. She paints on wooden panels. On her canvas, women exist in three-dimensional gold spaces. The artist uses gold dust, gold leaf and gold-containing oil paint.
The works of Lauren echo the creativity of the artist Gustav Klimt. Traditions of Japanese painting that inspired this young girl were reflected in her paintings.
Social networks got the artist famous. Lauren did not dare to show her works to the public for a very long time. Her brother convinced her to create an account in the online community and post pictures of paintings and videos of the creation process. That’s how the self-taught artist Lauren Brevner gained popularity.
In the picture: the painting “Hyacinth” by Lauren Brevner.
“Golden” femininity from Manuel Nunez
The American artist Manuel Nunez paints unusual female portraits. His works are original and unique, and the painting technique is reminiscent of the 19th-century paintings. The usage of gold in his paintings only enhances this effect.
Female portraits harmoniously combine the imagination of the artist, the perfection of the noble metal and modern technology. These precious works of art are distinguished by their elegance and sophistication.
Beautiful female images by Nunez are transferred to gilded canvases.
Manuel Nunez:
“My images are of strong women. Beautiful, but not exploited. Women who are sensual and virtuous.”
The artist uses gold paints and gold leaf in his paintings — the finest plates of the precious metal.
Manuel believes that gold symbolizes “the righteous purity and immaculate spirituality”. The glow of the precious metal in the works of Manuel Nunez gives the paintings a special mysticism. Masterfully created female images of Nunez, like gold itself, combine magnetism and sensuality, nobility and greatness.
In the picture: the painting “Draweth Nigh”, 1999, by Manuel Nunez.
Since time immemorial, the human imagination has crowned gold and the female form as the very pinnacle of beauty — a sentiment once again echoed in the works of the three remarkable contemporary artists. Yet the union of these two ideals transcends painting alone. Discover one of the most remarkable sculptures fashioned from the metal of kings over the past few millennia in our article: “Golden statue of Kate Moss.”
